Activites

The Constitutional Affairs Committee adopted the report by György SCHÖPFLIN (EPP, HU) on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the European citizens initiative. The committee recommended that the European Parliaments position adopted at first reading under the ordinary legislative procedure should amend the Commission proposal as follows: Right to support a European Citizens' Initiative (ECI): the proposal aims to replace Regulation 211/2011 on the citizens initiative in order to improve the way the ECI operates, the main strategic objectives being to make the ECI more accessible, less burdensome and easier to use for organisers and supporters. Members considered that citizens residing in Member States other than those of their nationality shall have the right to support an initiative either in their Member State of residence or in the Member State of which they are nationals. The Member States and the Commission shall adopt all the necessary provisions to facilitate the exercise by persons with disabilities of their right to support a citizens' initiative. Information and assistance by the Commission and Member States: the Commission shall, upon request, provide to citizens and groups of organisers easily accessible, clear, accurate and comprehensive information about and appropriate expert and legal assistance in connection with the European citizens initiative. The Commission shall make available an online collaborative platform to support the exchange of information and best practices between stakeholders including groups of organisers, independent experts, NGOs and other institutions and bodies of the Union. The online collaborative platform shall be user-friendly and accessible to people with disabilities. Each Member State shall establish one or more digital and physical dedicated ECI contact points to provide practical and legal information, advice and assistance to groups of organisers who are setting up a European citizens initiative. Group of organisers: the members of the group of organisers shall be citizens of the Union, of the age to be entitled to vote in elections to the European Parliament and residents of at least one quarter of the Member States. Throughout the organisational phase preceding the registration of a proposed citizens initiative, the organisers may request the support of the ECI contact points, Europe Director of the Commissions ECI services. Registration: where it refuses to register or only partially registers an initiative, the Commission shall inform the group of organisers in full detail of the reasons for its decision, enabling the group of organisers to make a detailed assessment of the grounds for the Commissions refusal, including the suggested legal basis or bases. Publication and public hearing: within three months after the submission of the initiative, the group of organisers shall be given an opportunity to present the initiative at a public hearing in the European Parliament, in the interest of generating a Union-wide public debate on the proposed initiative. The European Parliament shall organise the public hearing on its premises. Representatives of the Council, the Commission, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, representatives of civil society, the social partners and national parliaments could participate in the hearing. The presence of at least one member of the College of Commissioners shall be assured. Commission review: within six months after the publication of the initiative, and after the public hearing, the Commission shall set out in a communication full details of its legal and political conclusions on the initiative, the action it intends to take, and an exhaustive and clear statement of the reasons for taking or not taking action. In the event of a successful citizens initiative, the Commission shall, within 12 months after the publication of the initiative, submit to the European Parliament and to the Council a proposal for a legal act in response to the initiative. After the 12 month period, the European Parliament shall assess the actions taken by the Commission in order to follow-up to its communication on the ECI. Transparency: the group of organisers shall provide, for the publication in the register, and as the case may be on their campaign website, clear, accurate and comprehensive information on the sources of support and funding for the initiative exceeding 500 euros per sponsor. Sponsors and corresponding amounts shall be clearly identifiable. It shall also communicate the names of the organisations assisting them on a voluntary basis. The Commission shall be entitled to perform random checks on the information submitted in respect of the sources of support and funding, to assess the quality of the information provided and to request additional clarifications from the groups of organisers. The Commission shall ensure full transparency of funding and sponsorship information through quality checks, alerts and complaints system so as to ensure that funding and sponsorship information provided by ECI organisers are correct. In order to support the organisation of citizens' initiatives, an annual appropriation shall be allocated from the Union budget.

PURPOSE: to reform the European Citizens Initiative in order to facilitate its organisation. PROPOSED ACT: Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council. ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: The European Parliament decides in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure and on an equal footing with the Council. BACKGROUND: the instrument of the European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) was introduced by the Treaty of Lisbon and was made operational on 1 April 2012 by Regulation No 211/2011. The aim of this instrument is to enhance citizens' involvement in the democratic life of the European Union, by allowing them to directly address the Commission with a request to submit a proposal for legal acts of the Union for the purpose of implementing the Treaties. Since its first report on the application of the Regulation adopted in 2015, the Commission has implemented a series of non-legislative measures to facilitate the use of the instrument by organisers and citizens and to mitigate the main problems identified, namely: the difficulties encountered by the organisers in the registration phase including the high rate of refusals to register proposed citizens initiatives; the complexity for organisers of initiatives to collect statements of support, as evidenced by the low rate of successful initiatives; differences in requirements for personal data of signatories; low number of initiatives reaching the one million threshold and the limited impact so far generated by citizens' initiatives. The resolution of the European Parliament of 28 October 2015 highlighted a number of problems and called for the revision of Regulation (EU) No 211/2011 and the adoption of a package of amendments to improve the functioning of the ECI. IMPACT ASSESSMENT: no impact assessment has been carried out. The Commission notes, however, that technical and practical measures to simplify the ECI should reduce the administrative burden for both organisers and Member States. CONTENT: the proposal seeks to replace Regulation No 211/2011 with a view to improving the way the ECI operates, with the main policy objectives of: making the ECI more accessible, less burdensome and easier to use for organisers and supporters; achieving the full potential of the ECI as a tool to foster debate and participation, including that of young people, at European level and to bring the EU closer to its citizens. Concretely, the proposal: stipulates the right of every citizen of the Union of at least 16 years of age to support an initiative by signing the statement of support; introduces the requirement to make available an online collaborative platform for the ECI providing a discussion forum as well as information and advice to organisers, support to organisers with regard to the translation of the main elements of their initiatives into all official languages ​​of the Union for publication in the Register; provides for the requirements for the organisers of initiatives, including the formation, composition and responsibilities of the group of organisers composed by at least seven citizens of the Union entitled to vote in the elections to the European Parliament and residents of at least seven Member States; provides that statements of support may only be collected after an initiative has been registered and establishes the requirements for the registration or refusal of initiatives; clarifies that statements of support for initiatives may be collected online or in paper form and that only forms which comply with the models set out in Annex III of the Regulation may be used to collect statements of support. Personal data to be provided by the signatory would be reduced; introduces the requirement for the Commission to set-up and operate, by 1 January 2020, a central online collection system made available free of charge to organisers of registered initiatives and allowing citizens to provide support to initiatives online; stipulates the possibility for organisers to set up their own individual online collection systems, the security and technical features for these systems and the procedure for the verification by the competent national authorities in the Member States; provides that each Member State shall verify and certify the statements of support signed by their nationals; lays down the conditions and time limits for the submission of initiatives to the Commission; sets out the publication and public hearing phase for initiatives submitted to the Commission and sets out the conditions for the public hearing at the European Parliament within three months from the submission of the initiative by the organisers; obliges the Commission to receive the group of organisers at an appropriate level as well as to set out in a Communication its legal and political conclusions on the initiative, the actions it intends to take, if any, and its reasons for taking or not taking action; provides for awareness-raising and communication activities on the ECI to be carried out by the Commission. BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS: the specific budgetary implications of the proposal relate to a number of online systems for the European citizens initiative which the Commission will put in place and make available free of charge to citizens and organisers. The estimated impact on expenditure (in commitment appropriations) is estimated at EUR 2.050 million for 2019 and EUR 2.140 million for 2020. For administrative expenditure, the impact is estimated to EUR 1.071 million per year.

(b) in at least one quarterfive of the Member States, the number of signatories is at least equal to the minimum number set out in Annex I, corresponding to the number of the Members of the European Parliament elected in each Member State, multiplied by 750, at the time of registration of the initiative.

2. The members of the group of organisers shall be citizens of the Union, of the age to be entitled to vote in elections to the European Parliament and residents of at least sefiven different Member States.

(b) partially register the initiative if a substantial part of the initiative, including its main objectives, does not manifestly fall outside the framework of the Commission’s powers to submit a proposal for a legal act of the Union for the purpose of implementing the Treaties, whilst, where feasible, allowing for the adaptation of the remaining part of the proposal within a reasonable timeframe, in order for it to be deemed to fall within the framework of the Commission’s powers;

For the purpose of online collection of statements of support, the Commission shall set-up and operate, by 1 January 2020, a central online collection system, in accordance with Commission Decision (EU, Euratom) 2017/46 of 10 January 2017 and subject to Regulation (EU) 2016/679.

Within five months after the publication of the initiative in accordance with Article 14(1), and after the public hearing referred to in Article 14(2), the Commission shall set out in a communication its legal and political conclusions on the initiative, the action it intends to take, if any, and its reasons for taking or not taking action.

(1) The Treaty on European Union (TEU) reinforces citizenship of the Union and enhances further the democratic functioning of the Union by providing, inter alia, that every citizen of the Union has the right to participate in the democratic life of the Union. The European citizens’ initiative is a Union instrument of direct participatory democracy which affords citizens of the Union the possibility of directly approaching the Commission with a request inviting it to submit a proposal for a legal act of the Union for the purpose of implementing the Treaties, similar to the right conferred on the European Parliament under Article 225 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) and on the Council under Article 241 TFEU.

(1a) The legal act of the Union that may be required, by a European citizens’ initiative, for the purpose of implementing the Treaties may consist in a new legal act may also consist in the amendments of the Treaties, as provided for by Article 48 TEU.

(5) This Regulation aims to make the European citizens’ initiative more accessible, less burdensome and easier to use for organisers and supporters, in order to achieve the full potential of the European citizens’ initiative as a tool to submit proposals for a legal act of the Union, to foster debate and citizen participation at Union level, and to bring the Union closer to its citizens.

(5) This Regulation aims to make the European citizens’ initiative more accessible, less burdensome and easier to use for organisers and supporters, in order to achieve the full potential of the European citizens’ initiative as a tool to

(6) To achieve those objectives, the procedures and conditions required for the European citizens’ initiative should be effective, clear, simple, user-friendly and proportionate to the nature of this instrument. They should strike a judicious balance between rights and obligations.

(7) It is appropriate to set a minimum age for supporting an initiative. To achieve the full potential of the European citizens’ initiative as an instrument of direct participatory democracy and to foster meaningful citizen participation at Union level especially among young European citizens, that age should be set at 16 years.

(8) In accordance with Article 11(4) of the TEU an initiative invitobliging the European Commission, within the framework of its powers, to submit any appropriate proposal on matters where citizens consider that a legal act of the Union is required to implement the Treaties, is to be taken by not less than one million citizens of the Union who are nationals of a significant number of Member States.

(11) Every citizen of the Union should have the right to support an initiative on paper or online, under similar conditions regardless if he or she is a citizen of thea Member State of nationality or residence.

(12) While personal data processed in application of this Regulation might include sensitive personal data, given the nature of the European citizens’ initiative as a participatory democracy instrument, it order to allow statements of support to be verified in accordance with national law and practice, though personal data should be processed as carefully as possible, in particular as regards the public disclosure and internet posting of personal identifiers, since some citizens’ initiatives concern sensitive issues relating to the political or religious views of the organisers of initiatives and/or signatories thereto.

(13) In order to make the European citizens’ initiative more accessible and to provide support to citizens and organisers, the Commission should provide information and assistance to organisers and make available an online collaborative platform to provide a dedicated discussion forum and information and advice about the European citizens’ initiative. To ensure proximity to citizens, Member States should establish one or more contact pointplatforms in their respective territories to provide citizens with information and assistance regarding the European citizens’ initiative.

(14) A minimum organised structure is needed in order to launch and manage citizens’ initiatives successfully. That structure should take the form of a group of organisers, composed of natural persons who are citizens of and resident in at least sefiven different Member States, in order to encourage the emergence of Union-wide issues and to foster reflection on those issues. For the sake of transparency and smooth and efficientof organisers and the institutions of the Union throughout the procedure. The group of organisers should have the possibility to create, in accordance with the national law, a legal entity of the Member State of residence, a legal entity, in particular an association, to manage an initiative. That legal entity should be considered as the group of organisers for the purposes of this Regulation.

(15) In order to ensure coherence and transparency in relation to initiatives and to avoid a situation where signatures are collected for an initiative which does not comply with the conditions laid down by the Treaties and this Regulation, initiatives that comply with the conditions laid down in this Regulation should be registered by the Commission before collecting statements of support from citizens. The Commission should deal with registration in accordance with the general principles of good administration and notify organisers as soon as possible of its decision to register an initiative or refuse registration thereof.

(16) In order to make the European citizens’ initiative more accessible, and user-friendly and proportionate, it is appropriate to partially register an initiative in cases where only part or parts of the initiative meet the requirements for registration under this Regulation. Initiatives should be partially registered where a substantial part of the initiative, including its main objectives, does not manifestly fall outside the framework of the Commission’s powers to submit a proposal for a legal act of the Union for the purpose of implementing the Treaties and all the other registration requirements are met. Clarity and transparency shouldmust be ensured as regards the scope of the partial registration and potential signatories should be informed of the scope of the registration and of the fact that statements of support are collected only in relation to the scope of the registration of the initiative.

(17) Statements of support for an initiative should be collected within a specific time limit. In order to ensure that an initiative remains relevant, whilst taking into account the complexity of collecting statements of support across the Union, that time limit should not be longer than 12 months from the date of the start of the collection period determined byafter confirmation of registration of the initiative by the Commission, which will be duly forwarded to the representative of the group of organisers.

(17) Statements of support for an initiative should be collected within a specific time limit. In order to ensure that an initiative remains relevant, whilst taking into account the complexity of collecting statements of support across the Union, that time limit should not be longer than 128 months from the date of the start of the collection period determined by the group of organisers.

(21) It is appropriate for Member States to verify the conformity of the individual online collection systems set up by the group of organisers with the requirements of this Regulation and issue a document certifying such conformity before statements of support are collected. The certification of the individual online collection systems should be carried out by the competent national authority of the Member States in which the data collected through the individual online collection system is stored. Without prejudice to the Protection Regulation, Member States should designate the competent national authority responsible for the certification ofpowers of the national supervisory authorities under the General Data Protection Regulation, Member States the systems. Member States should mutually recognise the certificates issued by their competent authorities.

(22) Where an initiative has received the necessary statements of support from signatories, each Member State should be responsible for the verification and certification of statements of support signed by its nationals, in order to assess whether the required minimum numbers of signatories having the right to support a European citizens’ initiative have been reached. Taking account of the need to limit the administrative burden for Member States, such verifications should be carried out on the basis of appropriate checks, which may be based on random sampling. If necessary, Member States shouldmay issue a document certifying the number of valid statements of support received.

(23) In order to promote participation and public debate on the issues raised by the initiatives, where an initiative supported by the required number of signatories and fulfilling the other requirements of this Regulation is submitted to the Commission, the group of organisers should have the right to present that initiative at a public hearing at Union level. The public hearing should be co- organised by the Commission and the European Parliament within three months from the submission of the initiative and ensure a balanced representation of relevant public and private interests well as the representation at an appropriate level of the Commission. OIn particular, organisers and their representatives should be given sufficient speaking time that is equal to that for the Commission. Organisers and their representatives must be informed with reasonable notice about how the hearing will proceed, in particular as regards the identity of the Commission representatives, the order in which they will speak and the speaking time allocated to each. Subject to compliance with the equal arrangements set out above, other institutions and advisory bodies of the Union as well as interested stakeholders should have the opportunity to participate in the hearing.

(24) To ensure the effective participation of citizens in the democratic life of the Union, the Commission should examine a valid initiative and respond to it. period of five months from the receipt of the initiative. The Commission should explain in a clear, comprehensible and detailed manner the reasons for its intended action, and should likewise give its reasons if it does not intend to take any action.

(24) To ensure the effective participation of citizens in the democratic life of the Union, the Commission should examine a valid initiative and respond to it. In the light of this, the Commission may request the Court of Justice of the European Union an opinion about the legal aspects of the initiative. The Commission should therefore set out its legal and political conclusions as well as the action it intends to take within a period of five months from the receipt of the initiative. The Commission should explain in a clear, comprehensible and detailed manner the reasons for its intended action, and should likewise give its reasons if it does not intend to take any action.

(25) The support and funding for initiatives should be transparent. Therefore groups of organisers should provide updated information on the sources of support and funding for their initiatives between the date of registration and the date at which the initiative is submitted to the Commission. Entities, notably organisations which under the Treaties contribute to forming European political awareness and expressing the will of citizens of the Union, should be able to promote and provide support and funding to initiatives, provided that they do so in accordance with the procedures and conditions laid down by this Regulation, and with full transparency, that that financial support is not disproportionate in the light of the average financial support for such initiatives and that the organisations concerned are in no way the originators of the initiatives in question.

(26) Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council28applies to the processing of personal data carried out under this Regulation. In that respect, for the sake of legal certainty, it is appropriate to clarify that the representative of the group of ofrganisers, the Member States are to be considered as the data controller(s) within the meaning of Regulation (EU) 2016/679, and to specify the maximum period within which the personal data collected for the purposes of an initiative can be retained. In their capacity as data controllers, the representative of the group of organisers, or as the case may be the legal entity created for the purpose of managing the initiative, and the competent authorities of the Member States should take all appropriate measures to comply with the obligations imposed by Regulation (EU) 2016/679, in particular those relating to the lawfulness of the processing, the security of the processing activities, the provision of information and the rights of data subjects to consent, or not to consent, to the processing of their personal data. _________________ 28 Regulation (EU) 2016/679 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC (General Data Protection Regulation) (OJ L 119, 4.5.2016, p. 1).

(b) in at least one quarter of thfive Member States, the number of signatories is at least equal to the minimum number set out in Annex I, corresponding to the number of the Members of the European Parliament elected in each Member State, multiplied by 750, at the time of registration of the initiative.

The Commission shall make available an online collaborative platform that may providinge citizens and groups of organisers with a discussion forum and must provide them with information and advice about the European citizens’ initiative, together with a contact form allowing any user to ask a question on that topic and receive an answer from the relevant Commission department within an appropriate and reasonable period.

3. The Commission shall make available an online register (‘the register’) allowing groups of organisers to manage their initiative throughout the procedure and ascertain what its status is. The register shall comprise a public website providing information on the European citizens’ initiative in general as well as on specific initiatives and their respective status. it may include a personal space for each initiative’s organisers, via which the Commission can message them about developments concerning the initiative and its status and make any relevant

3. The Commission shall make publicly available an online register (‘the register’) allowing groups of organisers to manage their initiative throughout the procedure. The register shall comprise a public website providingn easily and effectively accessible public website providing clear, accurate and comprehensive information on the European citizens’ initiative in general as well as on specific initiatives and their respective status.

3. The Commission shall make available an online register (‘the register’) allowing groups of organisers to manage their initiative throughout the procedure. The register shall comprise a public website providing information on the European citizens’ initiative in general as well as on specific, but particularly details regarding every stage of the initiative, specifying what steps to take and the state of play of every initiatives and their respective status.

3a. Groups of organisers must be informed as soon as the translated version of their initiative is available, and if it contains any inaccuracies, the group of organisers shall rectify them and inform the Commission promptly.

4. After the Commission has registered an initiative in accordance with Article 6, it shall provide as soon as possible the translation of the content of that initiative into all the official languages of the Union, and in particular - by way of priority - into the European Union’s three working languages - for its publication in the register and its use for the collection of statements of support in accordance with this Regulation. A group of organisers may, in addition, provide translations into all the official languages of the Union of the Annex for its publication in the register and also, as thelegal act referred to in Annex II and submitted in accordance with Article 6(2).

4. After the Commission has registered an initiative in accordance with Article 6, it shall provide the translation of the content of that initiative into all the official languages of the Union for its publication in the register and its use for the collection of statements of support in accordance with this Regulation. A group of organisers may, in addition, provide translations into all the official languages of the Union of the Annex for its publication in the register and also, as the case may be, of the draft legal act referred to in Annex II and submitted in accordance with Article 6(2).

6. Each Member State shall establish 6. one or more contact points to provide information and, accessible to people with disabilities, to provide information as well legal and practical assistance to groups of organisers in setting up a European citizens’ initiative.

6. Each Member State shall establish one or more contact points and make them known, with a view to provideing information and assistance to groups of organisers in setting up a European citizens’ initiative.

6. Each Member State shall establish one or more contact points to provide information and assistance to groups of organisers in setting up a European citizens’ initiative and provide information in the official and co-official languages of the Member State.

1. An initiative shall be prepared and managed by a group of at least sefiven natural persons (the ‘group of organisers’). who are citizens of a Members State of the European Parliament shall not be counted for the purposeUnion. Members of thate

2. The members of the group of organisers shall be citizens of the Union, of the age to be entitled, when the request for registration of the initiative is lodged with the Commission, to vote in elections to the European Parliament, and residents of at least sefiven different Member States.

The group of organisers shall designate two of its members as, respectively, representative and substitute, who shall liaise between them and the institutions of the Union throughout the process and who shall be mandated to act on behalf of the group of organisers (the ‘contact persons’). The contact persons shall register their contact details on the online platform set up for that purpose by the Commission, such details to include their private postal address, a private e-mail address and a private landline or mobile telephone number, in order to facilitate

The group of organisers may also designate a maximum of two other natural persons, chosen from among its members or otherwise, who are mandated to act on behalf of the contact persons for the purpose of liaising with the institutions of the Union throughout the procedure, provided that the relevant contact details, including a postal address, an e-mail address and a landline or mobile telephone number, are submitted when the request for registration is lodged.

The group of organisers shall inform the Commission of any changes regarding its composition throughout the procedure and shall provide appropriate proof that the requirements laid down in paragraphs 1 and 2 are fulfilled. The changes in the composition of the group of organisers shall be reflected in the statement of support forms and the names of the current register throughout the procedureorganisers shall ensure that their contact details are regularly updated, and the Commission’s online platform shall make it possible to modify the contact details of contact persons.

(b) in the situation referred to Article 5(7), the legal entity has been created specifically for the purpose of managing the initiative and the member of the group of organisers designated as the representative thereof is given a mandate to act on behalf of the legal entityorganisers;

(c) none of the parts of the initiative manifestly falls outside the framework of the Commission’s powers to submit a proposal for a legal act of the Union for the purpose of implementing the Treaties;deleted

If one or more of the requirements set out in points (a) to (e) are not met, the Commission shall refuse to register the initiative, without prejudice to paragraphs 4 and 5, and shall notify the organisers, in particular via the contact persons and the online platform created for that purpose, as quickly as possible and in writing.

If one or more of the requirements set out in points (a) to (e) are not met, the Commission, after informing the European Parliament on its reasoning, shall refuse to register the initiative, without prejudice to paragraphs 4 and 5.

Where it considers that the requirements laid down in paragraph 3 (a), (b), (d) and (e) are met but that the requirement laid down in paragraph 3(c) is not met, the Commission shall, as quickly as possible and at the very latest within one month of the submission of the request, inform the group of organisers of its assessment and of the reasons thereof, in particular via the online platform created for that purpose, and shall do so in writing, clearly explaining the reasoning behind its decision.

If it comes to the conclusion that the initiative or parts of the initiative fall outside its remit, the Commission shall inform the group of organisers of that conclusion and of the reasons why it reached that conclusion.

In that case, the group of organisers may either amend the initiative to take into paragraph 3(c) or maintain or withdraw the initial initiative. The group of organisers shall inform the Commission of its choice within one month of the receipt of the Commission’s assessmentinformation giving the reasons thereof, and shall, as the case may be, transmit amendments to the information referred to in Annex II to replace the initial initiative.

(b) partially register the initiative if a substantial part of the initiative, including its main objectives, does not manifestly fall outside the framework of the Commission’s powers to submit a proposal for a legal act of the Union for the purpose of implementing the Treaties;deleted

The Commission shall decide on the request within one month of receipt of the information and, as the case may be, the amended initiative from the group of organisers referred to in the second subparagraph.deleted

The Commission shall decide on the request as quickly as possible, and at the very latest within one month of receipt of the information, and, as the case may be, the amended initiative from the group of organisers referred to in the secparticular via the online platform created for that purpose, clearly explaining the reasoning behind this decisiond.

Where the Commission partially registers an initiative: (a) it shall publish information on the scope of the registration of the initiative in the register; (b) the group of organisers shall ensure that potential signatories are informed of the scope of the registration of the initiative and of the fact that statements of support are coldelected only in relation to the scope of the registration.

(b) the group of organisers shall ensure that potential signatories are informed of the scope of the registration of the initiative and of the fact that statements of support are coldelected only in relation to the scope of the registration.

6. The Commission shall register an initiative under a single registration number and inform the group of organisers thereof as soon as possible, in particular via the online platform created for that purpose.

7. Where it refuses to register or only partially registers an initiative in accordance with paragraph 4, the Commission shall inform the group of organisers of the reasons for its decision in a clear and transparent manner and of all possible judicial and extrajudicial remedies available to them. This information shall be transmitted, in particular, via the online platform created for that purpose.

7. Where it refuses to register in accordance with the last subparagraph of paragraph 3 or only partially registers an initiative in accordance with paragraph 4, the Commission shall duly inform the group of organisers of the reasons for its decision

8. The Commission shall inform in a clear, thorough and detailed manner the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and, the Committee of the Regions and the national parliaments of the registration of an initiative.

All statements of support shall be collected within a period not exceeding 128 months from a date chosen by the group of organisers (the ‘collection period’), without prejudice to Article 11(6). That date must be not later than threesix months from the registration of the initiative in accordance with Article 6.

All statements of support shall be collected within a period not exceeding 128 months from a date chosen by the group of organisers (the ‘collection period’), without prejudice to Article 11(6). That date must be not later than three months from the registration of the initiative in accordance with Article 6.

Where the group of organisers wishes to terminate the collection of statements of support before the end of 12 months after the beginning of the collection period, it shall inform the Commission ofas soon as possible, but in any case before the date at which the collection period is to end.

2. The Commission shall indicate the 2. beginning and end of the collection period in the register. If the organisers collect the potential signatories of the date the collection period comes to an end.

2. The Commission shall indicate the beginning and end of the collection period in the register. One month before the deadline for the collection of statements of support is due to expire, the Commission shall inform the group of organisers thereof.

3. The Commission or the group of organisers, as the case may be, shall automatically close the operation of the central online collection system in accordance with Article 10 or of, and the organisers must close down any individual online collection system in accordance with Article 11 on the date at which the collection period ends.

Where the required number of statements of support has not been reached or in the absence of a response from the group of organisers within three months of the end of the collection period, the Commission shall close the initiative and publish a notice to that effect in the register. The Commission shall inform the organisers of this closure via the online platform created for this purpose.

Where an individual online collection system complies with those requirements, the competent authority shall within one month, if required, issue a certificate to that effect in accordance with the model set out in Annex IV. The group of organisers shall make a copy of that certificate or those certificates publicly available on the website used for the individual online collection system.

1. When the Commission receives a valid initiative in respect of which the statements of support have been collected and certified in accordance with Articles 8 to 12, it shall publish without delay a notice to that effect in the register and transmit the initiative to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and, the Committee of the Regions and the national parliaments.

The Commission and the European Parliament shall co-organize thesuch public hearing at the European Parliament. Representatives of the other institutions and advisory bodies of the Union, as well as interested stakeholders, shall be given the opportunity to participate in the hearing.

3a. In addition to the public hearing referred to in paragraph 2, the European Parliament shall hold a debate on those citizens’ initiatives that successfully meet all the criteria laid down in this Commission to submit an appropriate proposal according to Article 225 TFEU.

1. Within one month of the submission of the initiative, the Commission shall receive the group of organisers at an appropriate level to allow them to explain in detail the matters raised by the initiative. The organisers shall be informed via contact persons, and within a reasonable time frame, of the terms and conditions for the public hearing, and in particular of the identity of the Commission representatives, the speaking order and the speaking time.

Within five months after the publication of the initiative in accordance with Article 14(1), and after the public hearing referred to in Article 14(2), the Commission shall set out in a communication its legal and Such reasons shall be duly justified and explained in a clear, comprehensible and detailed manner. The Commission may request the Court of Justice of the European Union an opinion on the legal aspects of the initiative, which shall be delivered without undue delay.

Within five months after the publication of the initiative in accordance with Article 14(1), and after the public hearing referred to in Article 14(2), the Commission shall set out in a communication its legal and political conclusions on the initiative, the action it intends to take, if any, and its reasons for taking or not taking actionand submit a legislative proposal to the European Parliament and to the Council.

Within five months after the publication of the initiative in accordance with Article 14(1), and after the public hearing referred action it intends to take, if any, and its reasons for taking or not taking action.

Within five months after the publication of the initiative in accordance with Article 14(1), and after the public hearing referred to in Article 14(2), the Commission shall set out in a communication its legal and political conclusions on the initiative, the action it intends to take, if any, and its reasons for taking or not taking action. These conclusions must be clearly presented and duly justified.

Within five months after the publication of the initiative in accordance with Article 14(1), and after the public hearing referred to in Article 14(2), the Commission shall set out in a communication its legal and political conclusions on the initiative, the action it intends to take, if any, and its organisers of the possibilities for submitting their initiative to the Committee on Petitions, thus allowing their work to continue.

3. The Commission and the group of organisers may inform the signatories on the response to the initiativesignatories shall be informed by the Commission on the response to the initiative without undue delay. In view of this objective, the Commission may inform the signatories in accordance with Article 17 (2) and (3).

Article 15 a Follow-up and Action 1. Where an initiative has been registered fully and successfully, the Commission shall take appropriate legislative action, when:a) All procedural requirements for registering the initiative, in accordance with this regulations, have been duly objection has been raised by the Parliament or Council. c) The assessment conducted by the Commission has clearly identified need to address specific areas of Union law in accordance with the content of the registered initiative. 2. The Commission shall take action within a maximum period of one year, following the publication of the registered initiative and forward any legislative action proposal to the Council and the Parliament.

The group of organisers shallmust provide, for the publication in the register, and as the case may be on their campaign website, information on the sources of support and funding for the initiative exceeding 500 euros per sponsor, in particular the identity or corporate name of the donors and the size of each donation.

1. The Commission shall raise public awareness about the existence of the European citizens’ initiative through communication activities and information campaigns, thereby contributing to promoting the active participation of citizens in the political life of the Union. Targeted communication strategies, including social media, are critical for enhancing the effectiveness of the European Citizens’ Initiative and for ensuring transparency.

1. The Commission shall raise public campaigns also using digital platforms and technologies to reach out and engage community, thereby contributing to promoting the active participation of citizens in the political life of the Union.

The Commission shall periodically review the functioning of the European citizens’ initiative and present a report to the European Parliament and the Council on the application of this Regulation no later than five years from the date of application of this Regulation, and every five years thereafter. The reports shall be made public and shall form the basis of a presentation and an exchange of views with Parliament.

(1) The Treaty on European Union (TEU) reinforces citizenship of the Union and enhances further the democratic functioning of the Union by providing, inter alia, that every citizen of the Union has the right to participate in the democratic life of the Union. The European citizens’ initiative is a Union instrument of participatory democracy which affords citizens of the Union the possibility of directly approaching the Commission with a request inviting it to submit a proposal for a new legal act or for the abrogation or the amendment of any existing legal act of the Union for the purpose of implementing the Treaties, including with the view to their amendment, similar to the right conferred on the European Parliament under Article 225 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) and on the Council under Article 241 TFEU.

(1) The Treaty on European Union inter alia, that every citizen of the Union has the right to participate in the democratic lifedecision-making process of the Union. The European citizens’ initiative is a Union instrument of participatory democracy which affords citizens of the Union the possibility of directly approaching the Commission with a request inviting it to submit a proposal for a legal act of the Union for the purpose of implementing the Treaties, similar to the right conferred on the European Parliament under Article 225 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) and on the Council under Article 241 TFEU.

(1a) Since Article 48(2) TEU confers to the Commission the right to submit to the Council proposals for the amendment of the Treaties, any such proposal should be regarded as a legal act of the Union for the purpose of implementing the Treaties.

(1b) The European citizens’ initiative should be able to ask the Commission, in accordance with Article 48(2) TEU, to propose a revision of the Treaty of the European Union and of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, if such revision is requested by the citizens to implement the Treaties themselves and if this request is not in contradiction with the principles enshrined in the Articles 2 and 6 TEU and with the Charter of Fundamental Rights.

(4a) Pursuant to Article 11 TEU, the ECI is an integral part of the venues provided to the citizens of the Union allowing them to participate to its decision-making process by asking the Commission to submit a legislative proposal. Through the ECI, European citizens should be able to ensure that the Union’s actions are coherent, transparent and reflecting citizens’ priorities. The ECI is a mechanism imposing obligations on Union institutions in order to make the exercise of the participation right of the citizens of the Union as effective as possible, with due regard to the principles and rules governing the democratic functioning of the Union.

(5) This Regulation aims to make the European citizens’ initiative more accessible, less burdensome and easier to use for organisers and supporters, in order to achieve the full potential of the European citizens’ initiative as a tool to foster debate and citizen participation at Union level, and to bring the Union closer to its citizenin order to encourage as many EU citizens as possible to play their part in shaping the ongoing European integration process.

(5) This Regulation aims to make the European citizens’ initiative more accessible, less burdensome and easier to use for organisers and supporters, in order to achieve the full potential of the European citizens’ initiative as a tool to foster debate and citizen participation at Union levelto the decision-making process of the Union, and to bring the Union closer to its citizens.

(5) This Regulation aims to make the European citizens’ initiative more accessible, less burdensome and, easier to use for organisers and supporters, and strengthen its follow-up in order to achieve the full potential of the European citizens’ initiative as a tool to foster debate and citizen participation at Union level, and to bring the Union closer to its citizens.

(7) It is appropriate to set a minimum age for supporting an initiative. To achieve the full potential of the European citizens’ initiative as an instrument of participatory democracy and to foster citizen participation at Union levelto the decision-making process of the Union especially among young European citizens, that age should be set at 16 years.

Recital 7 a (new) the possibility to use languages other than the official languages of the Institutions of the Union that are authorised by a Member State in accordance with the applicable national law.

(7a) Inclusion of people residing legally in an EU Member State in the European integration project should also be promoted, so that people with this status may support any European citizens’ initiative.

(8) In accordance with Article 11(4) of the TEU an initiative inviting the European Commission, within the framework of its powers, to submit any appropriate legislative proposal on matters where citizens consider that a legal act of the Union is required to implement the Treaties, is to be taken by not less than one million citizens of the

(8a) A European citizens’ initiative in which the Commission is called upon to submit a proposal to amend the Treaties should be deemed admissible, given that Article 48 TEU confers upon the Commission the power to submit to the Council proposals to amend the Treaties.

(10) In order to ensure that an initiative is representative and to ensure similar conditions for citizens to support an initiative, it is also appropriate to establish the minimum number of signatories coming from each of those Member States. Those minimum numbers of signatories required in each Member State should be degressively proportional and correspond to the number of Members of the European Parliament elected in each Member State, multiplied by 750the total number of the Members of the European Parliament.

(13) In order to make the European citizens’ initiative more accessible and to provide support to citizens and organisers, past experience having revealed the organisational and technical difficulties inherent in getting a European citizens’ initiative off the ground, access to the rules should be made easier, and the Commission should provide information and assistance to organisers and make available an online collaborative platform to provide a dedicated discussion forum and information and advice about the European citizens’ initiative. To ensure proximity to citizens, Member States should establish one or more contact points in their respective territories to provide citizens with information and assistance regarding the European citizens’ initiative. The technical advice provided should serve to reduce the high number of applications refused on procedural grounds so that the Commission is obliged to refrain from declaring inadmissible citizens’ initiatives that follow the recommendations given.

the Commission should provide information and assistance to organisers and make available an online independent collaborative platform toand provide a dedicated discussion forum and information and advice about the European citizens’ initiative. Independent organisations and external experts with proven experience in the organisation of European citizens’ initiatives should manage and update the platform in order to provide on a daily basis their valuable contribution to the discussion forum. The Commission should be involved in the collaborative platform in order to provide its opinion on specific cases. To ensure proximity to citizens, Member States should establish one or more contact points in their respective territories to provide citizens with information and assistance regarding the European citizens’ initiative.

(13) In order to make the European citizens’ initiative more accessible and to provide support to citizens and organisers, the Commission should provide information andclear, accurate and complete information and legal and practical assistance to organisers and make publicly available an online collaborative platform to provide a dedicated discussion forum and information and advice about the European citizens’ initiative. To ensure proximity to citizens, Member States should establish one or more contact points in their respective territories to provide citizens with information and assistanceassistance regarding the European citizens’ initiative.

(13) In order to make the European citizens’ initiative more accessible and to provide support to citizens and organisers, the Commission should provide information and assistance to organisers and, together with the relevant stakeholders, make available an open- source online collaborative platform to provide a dedicated discussion forum and information and advice about the European citizens’ initiative. To ensure proximity to citizens, Member States should establish one or more contact points in their respective territories to provide citizens with information and assistance regarding the European citizens’ initiative.

structure should take the form of a group of organisers, composed of natural persons resident in at least seven different Member States, in order to encourage the emergence of Union-wide issues and to foster reflection on those issues. For the sake of transparency and smooth and efficient communication, the group of organisers should designate a representative to liaise between the group of organisers and the institutions of the Union throughout the procedure. The group of organisers should have the possibility to create, in accordance with national law, a legal entity without a political character to manage an initiative. That legal entity should be considered as the group of organisers for the purposes of this Regulation.

(14a) In order to ensure full objectivity and transparency with regard to the registration of a European citizens’ initiative proposal, the Commission should appoint one or more hearing officers from among persons who are known to have a good command of the law of the European Union, and should also provide auxiliary support staff. The hearing officers should be given the role of independent arbiter to assess the necessary conditions for registering a proposal for a European citizens’ initiative. The hearing officers should be Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union. Transparency and the absence of conflicts of interests should be ensured in the performance of their tasks. Sincere cooperation and political dialogue between the Commission, the European Parliament, and the Council with regard to the appointment of a hearing officer should also be ensured.

(15) In order to ensure coherence and transparency in relation to initiatives and to avoid a situation where signatures are collected for an initiative which does not in this Regulationthe hearing officer referred to in this Regulation and, where that opinion is favourable, should be registered by the Commiss initiatives that comply with the conditions laid down in this Regulation before collecting statements of support from citizens. The Commission and the hearing officer should deal with registration in accordance with the general principles of good administration.

(16) In order to make the European citizens’ initiative more accessible, and taking into account that the procedures and conditions required for the European citizens’ initiative should be clear, simple, user-friendly and proportionate, it is appropriate to partially register an initiative in cases where only part or parts of the initiative meet the requirements for registration under this Regulation. Initiatives should be partially registered where a substantial part of the initiative, including its main objectives, does not manifestly fall outside the framework of the Commission’s powers to submit a proposal for a new legal act or the abrogation or amendment of any existing legal act of the Union for the purpose of implementing the Treaties, including with the view to their amendment, and all the other registration requirements are met. Clarity and transparency should be ensured as regards the scope of the partial regiregistration and of the fact that stration and potential signatoriesements of support are collected only in relation to the scope of the registration of the initiative.

(16) In order to make the European citizens’ initiative more accessible, and taking into account that the procedures and conditions required for the European citizens’ initiative should be clear, simple, user-friendly and proportionate, it is appropriate to partially register an initiative in cases where only part or parts of the initiative meet the requirements for registration under this Regulation. Initiatives should be partially registered where a substantial part of the initiative, including its main objectives, does not manifestly fall outsidetargets an issue which falls in the framework of the Commission’s powers to submit a proposal for a legal act of the Union for the purpose of implementing the Treaties and all the other registration requirements are met. Clarity and transparency should be ensured as regards the scope of the partial registration and potential signatories should be informed of the scope of the registration and of the fact that statements of support are collected only in relation to the scope of the registration of the initiative.

(16a) Following the Judgement of the General Court of the European Union of 10 May 10 2017 (case T-754/14), a part of the initiative, including its main objectives, may cover all legal acts, without being restricted to measures producing definitive effects, including the abrogation of any existing legal act and the modification of a current legislative proposal. The definition of legal act should not be restricted by narrow interpretations, provided it does not contradict the principles enshrined in Articles 2 and 6 TEU and the Charter of Fundamental Rights.

(16b) Where citizens consider it necessary to ask for an amendment of the Treaties in order to have them implemented, a part of the initiative may ask the Commission, in accordance with Article 48(2) TEU, to propose an amendment of the Treaty on the European Union and/or the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union if

(17) Statements of support for an initiative should be collected within a specific time limit. In order to ensure that an initiative remains relevant, whilst taking into account the complexity of collecting statements of support across the Union, that time limit should not be longer than 128 months from the date of the start of the collection period determined by the group of organisers.

(17) Statements of support for an initiative should be collected within a specific time limit. In order to ensure that an initiative remains relevant, whilst taking into account the complexity of collecting statements of support across the Union, that time limit should not be longer than 126 months from the date of the start of the collection period determined by the group of organisers.

(18) In order to make the European citizens’ initiative more accessible, less burdensome and easier to use for organisers and citizens, the Commission should set-up and operate an open-source central system for the online collection of statements of support. That system should be made available free of charge to groups of organisers and should comprise the necessary technical features allowing online collection including the hosting and software as well as accessibility features ensuring that citizens with disabilities can provide support to the initiatives. That system should be set-up and maintained in accordance with Commission Decision (EU, Euratom) 2017/4626 . _________________ 26 Commission Decision (EU, Euratom) 2017/46 of 10 January 2017 on the security of communication and information systems in the European Commission (OJ L 6, 11.1.2017, p. 40–51).

(20) A group of organisers should have (20) A group of organisers should have the possibility to set-up its own online the possibility to set-up its own online collection systems for the collection of collection systems for the collection of statements of support across the Union and statements of support across the Union and to decide in which Member State the data to decide whether they wish to use the collected for the initiative should be stored. servers made available by the Commission The group of organisers should use a single for that purpose or, if they use their own individual online collection system for servers, in which Member State the data each initiative. Individual online collection collected for the initiative should be stored. systems set up and operated by a group of The group of organisers should use a single organisers should have adequate technical individual online collection system for and security features in order to ensure that each initiative. Individual online collection the data are securely collected, stored and systems set up and operated by a group of transferred throughout the procedure. For organisers should have adequate technical that purpose, the Commission should set and security features in order to ensure that out detailed technical specifications for the the data are securely collected, stored and individual online collection systems, in transferred throughout the procedure. For cooperation with the Member States. The that purpose, the Commission should set Commission may seek advice of the out detailed technical specifications for the European Union Agency for Network and individual online collection systems, in Information Security (ENISA) which cooperation with the Member States. The assists the Union institutions in developing Commission may seek advice of the and implementing policies related to European Union Agency for Network and security of network and information Information Security (ENISA) which systems. assists the Union institutions in developing and implementing policies related to security of network and information systems.

(22a) In order to encourage participation and public debate on the issues raised by initiatives, once the first six months of a collection period have held at Union level. The hearing should be organised by the European Parliament within three months of the request submitted by the group of organisers.

(23) In order to promote participation and public debate on the issues raised by the initiatives, wWhere an initiative supported by the required number of signatories and fulfilling the other requirements of this Regulation is submitted to the Commission, the group of organisers should, in addition, have the right to present that initiative at a second public hearing at Union level. The public hearing should be co- organised by the Commission and the European Parliament within three months from the submission of the initiative and ensure a balanced representation of relevant public and private interests well as the representation at an appropriate level of the Commission. Other institutions and advisory bodies of the Union as well as interested stakeholders should have the opportunity to participate in the hearing.

(23) In order to promote participation and public debate on the issues raised by the initiatives, where an initiative supported by the required number of signatories and fulfilling the other requirements of this Regulation is submitted to the Commission, the group of organisers should have the right to present that initiative at a public hearing at Union level. The public hearing should be co- organised by the Commission and the European Parliament, in accordance with its own Rules of Procedure, within three months from the submission of the initiative and ensure a balanced representation of relevant public and private interests well as the representation at an appropriate level of the Commission. Other institutions and advisory bodies of the Union as well as interested stakeholders should have the opportunity to participate in the hearinginstitutions and advisory bodies of the Union as well as interested experts.

(23) In order to promote participation and public debate on the issues raised by the initiatives, where an initiative submitted to the Commission, the group of organisers should have the right to present that initiative at a public hearing at Union level. The public hearing should be co- organised by the Commission andCommission and the European Parliament should ensure that the public hearing is organised at the European Parliament within three months from the submission of the initiative and ensure a balanced representation of relevant public and private interests well as the representation at an appropriate level of the Commission. Other institutions and advisory bodies of the Union as well as interested stakeholdernd, where relevant, representatives of national and regional parliaments should have the opportunity to participate in the hearing.

(23) In order to promote participation and public debate on the issues raised by the initiatives, where an initiative supported by the required number of signatories and fulfilling the other requirements of this Regulation is submitted to the Commission, the group of organisers should have the right to present that initiative at a public hearing at Union level. The public hearing should be co- organised by the Commission and the European Parliament within three months from the submission of the initiative and ensure a balanced representation of relevant public and private interests well as the representation at an appropriate level of the Commission and the Council. Other institutions and advisory bodies of the Union as well as

(23a) Twelve months after the Commission has submitted the communication setting out its legal and political conclusions on an initiative supported by the required number of signatories and fulfilling the other requirements of this Regulation, the group of organisers should have the right to request that a third public hearing be held at EU level in order to allow clear, detailed and comprehensive analysis of the Commission position and ascertain that the Commission’s action is consistent with such commitments as it might have entered into. The hearing should be organised by the European Parliament within six months of the submission of the request by the group of organisers.

(23a) In order to assess the political support of an initiative, the European Parliament, which is the body that represents the citizens of the Union, should hold a debate on the submitted initiative during the plenary session following the public hearing. The debate should be concluded by the adoption of a motion for resolution including a European Parliament recommendation to the Commission on the actions needed as a follow-up to the citizens’ initiative.

(24) To ensure the effective participation of citizens in the democratic life of the Union, the Commission should examine a validevery initiative which has secured the requisite number of at least one million statements of support and respond to it. The Commission should therefore set out its legal and political conclusions as well as the action it intends to take within a period of five months from the receipt of the initiative, in particular whether it intends to put forward a legislative proposal. The Commission should explain in a clear, comprehensible and detailed manner the reasons for its intended action, and should likewisein particular give its reasons if it does not intend to take any action.

(24) To ensure the effective participation of citizens in the democratic life of the Union, the Commission should examine a valid initiative and respond to it. The Commission should therefore set out its legal and political conclusions as well as the action it intends to take within a period of five months from the receipt of the initiative. The Commission should explain and should likewise give its reasons if it does not intend to take any actiondoes not intend to take any action. A valid initiative should not affect the Commission’s right of initiative.

(24) To ensure the effective participation of citizens in the democratic life of the Union, the Commission should examine a valid initiative and respond to it. The Commission should therefore set out its legal and political conclusions as well as the action it intends to take within a period of fivthree months from the receipt of the initiative. The Commission should explain in a clear, comprehensible and detailed manner the reasons for its intended action, and should likewise give its reasons if it does not intend to take any action.

(25) The support and funding for initiatives should be transparent. Therefore groups of organisers should provide updated and detailed information on the sources of support and funding for their initiatives between the date of registration and the date at which the initiative is submitted to the Commission. Those groups of organisers should report every trimester on all their sources of funding and the Commission should make those sources clearly apparent on the register. Entities, notably organisations which under the Treaties contribute to forming European political awareness and expressing the will of citizens of the Union, should be able to promote and provide support and funding to initiatives, provided that they do so in accordance with the procedures and conditions laid down by this Regulation and with full transparency. In order to enhance the transparency of financing of ECI activities and the visibility of the ECI as a tool for the engagement of citizens, this regulation should be endowed with its own financial Programme. Such a financial Programme should contribute to the funding of the entities and organisations promoting the incurred in relation to the organisation of ECIs.

(25) The support and funding for initiatives should be transparent. Therefore groups of organisers should provide updated information on the sources of support and funding for their initiatives between the date of registration and the date at which the initiative is submitted to the Commission. Entities, notably organisations which under the Treaties contribute to forming European political awareness and expressing the will of citizens of the Union, but excluding political parties and governmental institutions and authorities, should be able to promote and provide support and funding to initiatives, provided that they do so in accordance with the procedures and conditions laid down by this Regulation and with full transparency.

This Regulation establishes the procedures and conditions required for an initiative inviting the European Commission, within the framework of its powers, to submit any appropriate proposal on matters where citizens of the Union consider that a new legal act or the abrogation or amendment of any existing legal act of the Union is required for the purpose of implementing the Treaties, including with the view to their amendment, (the ‘European citizens’ initiative’ or ‘initiative’).

‘Legal act’ shall mean, inter alia, a proposal for a new legal act, an act repealing an existing legal act, an act amending an existing legal act, an act amending a proposal for a legal act1a or an act amending a Treaty as referred to in Article 48 TEU. _________________ 1aCf. also the judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Union in Case T-

A citizens’ initiative may cover all legal acts, without being restricted to measures producing definitive effects, including the amendment of an ongoing legislative proposal and the abrogation of existing legal acts. The definition of legal act shall not be restricted by narrow interpretations.

A citizens’ initiative may ask the Commission, in accordance with Article 48(2) TEU, to propose an amendment of the Treaty of the European Union and/or of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, if such revision is requested by the citizens in order to implement the Treaties themselves and if such request is not in contradiction with the principles enshrined in Articles 2 and 6 of TEU and with the Charter of Fundamental Rights.

Every citizen of the Union who is at least 16 years of age, including citizens with the status of a legal resident in an EU Member State, has the right to support an initiative by signing a statement of support (‘the signatory’), in accordance with this Regulation.

(b) in at least one quarter of the Member States, the number of signatories is at least equal to the minimum number set out in Annex I, corresponding to the number of the Members of the European Parliament elected in each Member State, multiplied by 750the total number of Members of the European Parliament, at the time of registration of the initiative.

The Commission shall make available an online collaborative platform providing citizens and groups of organisers with a discussion forum and information and advice about the European citizens’ initiative, including information about organisations that are able to provide further technical and legal support as well as about other forms of support available in the Member States.

The Commission shall make available an online collaborative platform providing citizens and groups of organisers with a discussion forum and informa, together with the relevant stakeholders, shall create an open-source online collaborative platform to support the exchange of information and best practices between stakeholders, including groups of organisers, independent experts, NGOs and other institutions and advice about the European citizens’ initiativebodies of the Union.

The Commission shall make available an online collaborative platform providing citizens and groups of organisers with a discussion forum and information and practical and legal advice about the European citizens’ initiative.

4. After the Commission has registered an initiative in accordance with Article 6, it shall provide the translation of the content of that initiative into all the official languages of the Union for its publication in the register and its use for the collection of statements of support in accordance with this Regulation. A group of organisers may, in addition, ask the Commission to provide translations into all the official languages of the Union of the Annex for its publication in the register and also, as the case may be, of the draft legal act referred to in Annex II and submitted in accordance with Article 6(2).

4a. A group of organisers may, in addition, provide translations of the information referred to in Annex II, as well as of the Annex and the draft legal act referred to in Annex II, into languages other than the official languages of the Institutions of the Union that have been authorized by a Member State in accordance with applicable national law.

5. To ensure the process is transparent and that data is protected, the Commission shall develop an EU file exchange service for the transfer of statements of support to the competent authorities of the Member States, in accordance with Article 12, which guarantees the confidentiality, integrity and authentication of the transfer, and make it publicly available and free of charge.

1. An initiative shall be prepared and managed by a group of at least seven natural persons (the ‘group of organisers’). Members of the European Parliament and Members of national parliaments shall not be counted for the purpose of that minimum number.

7. Where a legal entity has been created, in accordance with the national character, shall not manage public funds and shall be considered as the group of organisers or its members, as the case may be, for the purpose of paragraphs 5 and 6, Articles6(2) and (4) to (7) and Articles 7 to 18 and annexes II to VII, provided that the member of the group of organisers designated as the representative thereof is given a mandate to act on behalf of the legal entity.

Article 5a Hearing officer for European citizens’ initiatives The Commission, acting in accordance with the rules laid down in the Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Union and the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants of the European Union, shall appoint one or more hearing officers from among persons who are known to have a good command of the law of the European Union, and shall also provide auxiliary support staff. The Commission shall ensure sincere cooperation and political dialogue with the European Parliament and the Council for the purposes of transparency and of ascertaining that there are no conflicts of interests involved in the appointment of hearing officers and the performance of their duties. The hearing officer shall The hearing officer shall enjoy full independence in the performance of his or her duties.

Article 5a ECI Committee 1. The Commission shall create a committee of independent experts (the ‘ECI Committee’) in order to assess the admissibility of a submitted initiative in accordance with Articles 5 b and 6. 2. The European Parliament and the Council, acting by means of regulations in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure, shall adopt the provisions for the establishment and the functioning of the ECI Committee before 1 July 2019.

Admissibility 1. Without prejudice to paragraph 2, the ECI Committee shall declare admissible an initiative if: (a) none of the parts of the initiative manifestly falls outside the framework of the Commission’s powers to submit a proposal for a new legal act or the abrogation or amendment of any existing legal act of the Union for the purpose of implementing the Treaties, including with the view to their amendment, (b) the initiative is not manifestly abusive, frivolous or vexatious; (c) the initiative is not manifestly contrary to the values of the Union as set out in Article 2 TEU. 2. Where it considers that the requirements laid down in points (b) and (c) of paragraph 1 are met but part of the initiative does not fulfil the requirements laid down in point (a) of paragraph 1, the ECI Committee shall: (a) indicate the parts of the initiative that are not admissible and declare the initiative partially admissible; (b) for each of the parts that are not admissible, make a detailed assessment of the reasons and the legal basis justifying its decision. 3. In all other cases the ECI Committee, it shall declare the initiative inadmissible and make an assessment of the reasons and the legal grounds supporting its decision.

2a. The Commission shall refer to the ECI Committee the information referred to in Annex II. Without prejudice to paragraph 4, the ECI Committee shall decide on the admissibility of the initiative in accordance with Article 5b within one month of the receipt of the information.

(c) none of the parts of the initiative manifestly falls outside the framework of the Commission’s powers to submit a proposal for a legal act of the Union for the purpose of implementing the Treaties;the ECI Committee declares the initiative admissible.

(c) the scope and none of the parts of the initiative manifestly falls outside the framework of the Commission’s powers to submit a proposal for a legal act of the Union for the purpose of implementing the Treaties and do not impinge on the exclusive competence of the Member States;

(d) the initiative is not manifestly abusive, frivolous or vexatious;The Commission shall not implement thematic restrictions that are not foreseen in this Regulation, in Article 11 TEU and in Article 24 TFEU. The Commission shall not refuse to register citizens’ initiatives arbitrarily on the basis of an assessment qualifying them as Euro-sceptical or reflecting the interests of a minority, provided that such initiatives are in accordance with the principles enshrined in Articles 2 and 6 TEU and with the Charter of Fundamental Rights.

(ea) when promoting the European citizens’ initiative, the group of organisers commit to refrain from using European or national political or institutional instruments for the purpose of receiving statements of support.

If one or more of the requirements set out in points (a) to (e) are not met, the hearing officer shall recommend that the Commission shall refuse to register the initiative, without prejudice to paragraphs 4 and 5.

requirement laid down in paragraph 3(c) is not met, the Commissionhearing officer shall, within one month of the submission of the request, inform the group of organisers of its assessment and of the reasons thereofprovide his or her assessment and the reasons therefor. The Commission shall simultaneously forward that information to the group of organisers.

Where it considers that the requirements laid down in paragraph 3 (a), (b), (d), (e) and (e a) are met but that the requirement laid down in paragraph 3(c) is not met, the Commission shall, within one month of the submission of the request, inform the group of organisers of its assessment and of the reasons thereof.

Where it considers that the requirements laid down in paragraph 3 (a), (b), (d) and (eb) are met but that the requirement laide ECI Committee considers the of organisers of itsthe assessment and of the reasons thereofECI Committee.

In that case, the group of organisers may either amend the initiative to take into account the ECI Commissionttee’s assessment to ensure that the initiative is in conformity with the requirement laid down in paragraph 3(c)oint (c) of paragraph 1 of Article 5b or maintain or withdraw the initial initiative. The group of organisers shall inform the Commission of its choice within one month of the receipt of the ECI Commissionttee’s assessment giving the reasons thereof, and shall, as the case may be, transmit amendments to the information referred to in Annex II to replace the initial initiative.

In that case, the group of organisers may either amend the initiative to take into paragraph 3(c) or maintain or withdraw the initial initiative. The group of organisers shall inform the Commission and the hearing officer of its choice within one month of the receipt of the Commission’s assessment giving the reasons thereof, and shall, as the case may be, transmit amendments to the information referred to in Annex II to replace the initial initiative.

Where the Commission receives the information from the organisers it shall refer the information to the ECI Committee which will decide on the admissibility of the amended initiative within 15 working days. The Commission shall:

(b) partially register the initiative if a substantial part of the initiative, including its main objectives, does not manifestly fall outside the framework of the Commission’s powers to submit a proposal for a legal act of the Union for the purpose of implementing the Treaties; and it does not impinge on the exclusive competences of the Member States. That part of the initiative which is partially registered shall be self-standing and it shall not exceed the Commission’s competence to submit a proposal for a legal act. Where elements of the European citizens’ initiative have the potential to impinge on the exclusive competence of the Member States, the Commission shall consult the

(b) partially register the initiative if a substantial part of the initiative, including its main objectives, does not manifestly fall outside the framework of the Commission’s powers to submit a proposal for a legal act of the Union for the purpose of implementing the Treatiesthe ECI Committee declares the initiative partially admissible;

(b) partially register the initiative if a substantial part of the initiative, including its main objectives, does not manifestly fall outside the framework of the Commission’s powers to submit a proposal for a legal act of the Union for the purpose of implementing the Treaties;

The Commission shall decidehearing officer shall express an opinion on the request within one month of receipt of the information and, as the case may be, the amended initiative from the group of organisers referred to in the second subparagraph.

7. Where ithe or she refuses to register or only partially registers an initiative in accordance with paragraph 4, the andhearing Commission shall forward that information to the group of organisers and also inform them clearly and comprehensively of all possible judicial and extrajudicial remedies available to them.

7. Where it refuses to register or only partially registers an initiative in accordance with paragraph 4, the Commission shall inform the group of organisers of the reasons for its decisionthe ECI Committee’s decision on the admissibility and of all possible judicial and extrajudicial remedies available to them.

8. The Commission shall inform, in a clear, comprehensive and detailed manner, the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and, the Committee of the Regions and the national parliaments of the registration of an initiative.

8a. The Commission shall define the scope of any new initiative in such a way that it falls within the Commission’s powers to submit a proposal for a legal act of the Union for the purpose of implementing the Treaties.

All statements of support shall be collected, within a period not exceeding 126 months from a date chosen by the group of organisers (the ‘collection period’), without prejudice to Article 11(6). That date must be not later than threesix months from the registration of the initiative in accordance with Article 6.

Where, during the collection period, the group of organisers wishes to terminate the collection of statements of support before the end of 12 months after the beginning of the collection period, it shall inform the Commission ofa period of 16 months, it shall inform the Commission of that intention at least 10 days before the date at which the collection period is to end.

Where the group of organisers wishes to terminate the collection of statements of support before the end of 12 months after the beginning of the collection period, it shall inform the Commission of the date at which the collection period is to end.(Does not affect the EN version)

Member States shall inform the Commission as to whether they wish to use additional languages other than the official languages of the Institutions of the Union before 1 July 2019 and shall provide the translation of Annex III into those languages.

TFor the purpose of publication in the register, the group of organisers shallmay regularly inform the Commission of the number of collected statemewithin three months of support in each Member collection period for publication in the registerthe end of the collection period.

For the purpose of online collection of statements of support, the Commission shall set-up and operate, by 1 January 2020, an open-source central online collection system, in accordance with Commission Decision (EU, Euratom) 2017/46 of 10 January 2017.

The data collected through the individual online collection system may be stored in the servers made available by the Commission for that purpose and in any case shall be stored in the territory of a Member State.

1a. Within one month of the registration of an initiative, and at the latest 10 working days before the start of the collection period, the group of organisers shall inform the Commission as to whether it wishes to use the servers of the Commission.

2. The group of organisers shall ensure that the individual online collection system complies with the requirements laid down in paragraph 4 of this article and in Article 17(3) throughout the collection period.

The group of organisers can request, at the moment of submission, that if it fails to meet the required number of statements of support, the registered initiative be forwarded to the Committee on Petitions of the European Parliament as a petition, with the indication of the number of statements of support gathered.

1. When the Commission receives a valid initiative in respect of which the statements of support have been collected and certified in accordance with Articles 8 to 12, it shall publish without delay a notice to that effect in the register and transmit the initiative to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and, the Committee of the Regions and the national parliaments.

1a. When the first six months of the signature collection period have elapsed, the group of organisers may request that a first public hearing be held, at Union level, in order to present its initiative. The hearing shall be organised by the European Parliament within three months of the request submitted by the group of organisers.

Within three months after the submission of the initiativea valid initiative in relation to which statements of support have been collected and certified in accordance with Articles 8 to 12, the group of organisers shall be given the opportunity to present the initiative at a second public hearing.

When twelve months have elapsed since the submission of the Commission communication on its legal and political conclusions concerning a valid initiative in relation to which statements of support have been collected and certified in accordance with Articles 8 to 12, the group of organisers may request that a third public hearing be held at Union level. The hearing shall be organised by the European Parliament within six months of the submission of the request by the group of organisers.

The Commission and the European Parliament, with the support of the Commission, shall co-organise the public hearing atin accordance with its Rules of Procedure the public hearing before the competent Committee or Committees of the European Parliament. Representatives of the other institutions and advisory bodies of the Union, as well as interested stakeholders, shall be given the opportunity to participate in the hearing.

The Commission and the European Parliament shall co-organiseensure that the public hearing atis organised by the European Parliament. Representatives of the other institutions and advisory bodies of the Union, as well the opportunity to participate in the hearing in accordance with its own Rules of Procedure. Representatives of the presented by the organisers of the initiative.

The Commission and the European Parliament shall co-organiseensure that the public hearing is organised at the European Parliament. Representatives of the other institutions and advisory bodies of the Union, as well as interested stakeholders,nd, where relevant, representatives of national and regional parliaments shall be given the opportunity to participate in the hearing.

The Commission and the European Parliament shall co-organise the public hearing at the European Parliament. Representatives of the Council, other institutions and advisory bodies of the Union, as well as interested stakeholders or experts, shall be given the opportunity to participate in the

The Commission and the European Parliament shall co-organise the public hearings at the European Parliamentits premises. Representatives of the other institutions and advisory bodies of the Union, as well as interestedof the national parliaments and public stakeholders, shall be given the opportunity to participate in the hearings.

The Commission and the European Parliament shall ensure a balanced representation of relevant public and private interestsinterests. The European Parliament shall also ensure the presence of experts who are highly skilled in the subject with which the initiative is concerned, subject to prior verification that there are no conflicts of interests involved.

3a. In the case of a successful citizens’ initiative, the Commission shall, within 12 months after the publication of the initiative, submit to the European Parliament and to the Council a legislative proposal in response to the initiative. If the Commission considers that there are good reasons not to submit a legislative proposal, it shall clearly and thoroughly justify its decision. For the purposes of this Article, special attention should be paid to Article 296(2) TFEU and Article 41 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European

3a. In addition to the hearings, the European Parliament shall hold a plenary debate on those citizens’ initiatives that successfully meet all of the criteria laid down in this Regulation. That debate may be concluded by the adoption of a resolution calling on the Commission to submit a legislative proposal as referred to in Article 225 TFEU.

Article 14a Examination by the European Parliament The European Parliament shall hold a debate on the submitted initiative during the plenary session following the public hearing referred to in Article 14. The debate shall be concluded by the adoption of a motion for resolution including a European Parliament’s recommendation to the Commission on the actions needed as a follow-up to the citizens’ initiative.

1. Within one month of the 1. submission of the initiative, the Commission shall receive the group of organisers at an appropriate level to allow them to explain in detail the matters raised bypurpose of the initiative.

2. Within five months after the publication of the initiative in accordance with Article 14(1), and after the public hearing referred to in Article 14(2), the Commission shall set out in a communication full details of its legal and political conclusions on the initiative, the action it intends to take, if any, and its detailed reasons for taking or not taking action.

Within five months after the publication of Within five months after the publication of the initiative in accordance with Article the initiative in accordance with Article 14(1), and after the public hearing referred 14(1), and after the European Parliament to in Article 14(2), the Commission shall resolution referred to in Article 14 b, the set out in a communication its legal and Commission shall set out in a political conclusions on the initiative, the communication its legal and political action it intends to take, if any, and its conclusions on the initiative, the action it reasons for taking or not taking action. intends to take and its reasons for taking or not taking action exhaustively and in full detail.

2a. If an initiative contains a request for a new draft law to be proposed and the Commission rejects that request, the group of organisers may, within two months, forward their request to the European Parliament so that it can consider using its right to ask the Commission to submit an appropriate proposal under Article 225 TFEU.

3. TWhen the contact information of the signatories is available in accordance with Articles 17 (2) and (3), the Commission and the group of organisers mayshall inform the signatories on the response to the initiative in accordance with Article 17 (2) and (3).

3a. In the case of a successful citizens’ initiative, the Commission shall, within six months of its publication, submit to the European Parliament and to the Council a legislative proposal in response to the initiative. If the Commission considers that there are serious reasons suggesting not to submit a legislative proposal, it shall clearly and thoroughly provide a justification for its concerns to the organisers and to the publication of the initiative, the Commission shall explain to the organisers and to the European Parliament, thoroughly and in detail, why it did not ensure a follow-up. For the purpose of this Article, special attention shall be paid to Article 296(2) TFEU and to the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.

3a. In the event of a successful citizens’ initiative, the Commission shall, within 12 months after the publication of the initiative, submit to the European Parliament and to the Council a proposal in response to the initiative. If the Commission considers that there are good reasons not to submit a legislative proposal, it shall clearly and thoroughly justify its decision.

Follow-up by the European Parliament Where the conclusions in the communication of the Commission referred to in Article 15 and the recommendation of the European Parliament referred to in Article 14b differ, the European Parliament may exercise the right conferred on the European Parliament under Article 225 TFEU. When exercising this right, the European Parliament shall organise a second public hearing where the organisers shall be invited. Representatives of the other institutions and advisory bodies of the Union, as well as interested stakeholders, shall be given the opportunity to participate in the hearing.

Article 15a Follow-up to successful citizens’ initiatives by the European Parliament After the six months period referred to in Article 15(3a), the European Parliament shall assess the reply of the Commission to the ECI regardless of it being a legislative proposal or the absence thereof. In particular, it shall hold a plenary debate on this issue, in accordance with its Rules of Procedure. Such a debate may be concluded by the adoption of a motion for resolution. If the to propose an own-initiative legislative report.

The Commission shall be entitled to perform random checks on the information submitted in respect of the sources of support and funding, to assess the quality of the information provided and to request additional clarifications from the groups of organisers. Such checks shall aim to ensure transparency of funding and other support provided to groups of organisers and shall be carried out in an effective, impartial and proportionate manner. Sources of support and funding shall mean any offering of financial means or credit offering, any offering in kind, the provision below market value of any goods, services (including loans and the provision of personnel) or works, and/or any other transaction which provides an economic advantage, with the exception of support carried out on a voluntary basis by individuals.

1. The Commission, Parliament and the Council and the Member States shall raise public 1. awareness about the existence of the European citizens’ initiative through communication activities and information and publicity campaigns, thereby contributing to promoting the active participation of

The Commission shall periodically review the functioning of the European citizens’ initiative and present a report to the European Parliament and the Council on the application of this Regulation no later than fivthree years from the date of application of this Regulation, and every fivthree years thereafter. The reports shall be made public.

The Commission shall periodically review the functioning of the European citizens’ initiative and present a report to the European Parliament and the Council on the application of this Regulation no later than fivthree years from the date of application of this Regulation, and every fivthree years thereafter. The reports shall be made public.

The Constitutional Affairs Committee adopted the
report by György SCHÖPFLIN (EPP, HU) on the proposal for
a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the
European citizens initiative.

The committee recommended that the European
Parliaments position adopted at first reading under the
ordinary legislative procedure should amend the Commission proposal
as follows:

Right to support a European Citizens' Initiative
(ECI): the proposal aims to replace
Regulation 211/2011 on the citizens initiative in order to
improve the way the ECI operates, the main strategic objectives
being to make the ECI more accessible, less burdensome and easier
to use for organisers and supporters.

Members considered that citizens residing in Member
States other than those of their nationality shall have the
right to support an initiative either in their Member State of
residence or in the Member State of which they are nationals. The
Member States and the Commission shall adopt all the necessary
provisions to facilitate the exercise by persons with disabilities
of their right to support a citizens' initiative.

Information and assistance by the Commission and
Member States: the Commission shall,
upon request, provide to citizens and groups of organisers easily
accessible, clear, accurate and comprehensive information
about and appropriate expert and legal assistance in connection
with the European citizens initiative.

The Commission shall make available an online
collaborative platform to support the exchange of information and
best practices between stakeholders including groups of organisers,
independent experts, NGOs and other institutions and bodies of the
Union. The online collaborative platform shall be user-friendly and
accessible to people with disabilities.

Each Member State shall establish one or more
digital and physical dedicated ECI contact points to provide
practical and legal information, advice and assistance to groups of
organisers who are setting up a European citizens
initiative.

Group of organisers: the
members of the group of organisers shall be citizens of the Union,
of the age to be entitled to vote in elections to the European
Parliament and residents of at least one quarter of the Member
States. Throughout the organisational phase preceding the
registration of a proposed citizens initiative, the
organisers may request the support of the ECI contact points,
Europe Director of the Commissions ECI services.

Registration: where it
refuses to register or only partially registers an initiative, the
Commission shall inform the group of organisers in full detail of
the reasons for its decision, enabling the group of
organisers to make a detailed assessment of the grounds for the
Commissions refusal, including the suggested legal basis or
bases.

Publication and public hearing: within three months after the submission of the
initiative, the group of organisers shall be given an opportunity
to present the initiative at a public hearing in the European
Parliament, in the interest of generating a Union-wide public
debate on the proposed initiative.

The European Parliament shall organise the public
hearing on its premises. Representatives of the Council, the
Commission, the European Economic and Social Committee and the
Committee of the Regions, representatives of civil society, the
social partners and national parliaments could participate in the
hearing. The presence of at least one member of the College of
Commissioners shall be assured.

Commission review:
within six months after the publication of the initiative,
and after the public hearing, the Commission shall set out in a
communication full details of its legal and political conclusions
on the initiative, the action it intends to take, and an exhaustive
and clear statement of the reasons for taking or not taking
action.

In the event of a successful citizens
initiative, the Commission shall, within 12 months after the
publication of the initiative, submit to the European Parliament
and to the Council a proposal for a legal act in response to
the initiative.

After the 12 month period, the European Parliament
shall assess the actions taken by the Commission in order to
follow-up to its communication on the ECI.

Transparency: the group
of organisers shall provide, for the publication in the register,
and as the case may be on their campaign website, clear,
accurate and comprehensive information on the sources of
support and funding for the initiative exceeding 500 euros per
sponsor. Sponsors and corresponding amounts shall be clearly
identifiable. It shall also communicate the names of the
organisations assisting them on a voluntary basis.

The Commission shall be entitled to perform random
checks on the information submitted in respect of the sources
of support and funding, to assess the quality of the information
provided and to request additional clarifications from the groups
of organisers. The Commission shall ensure full transparency of
funding and sponsorship information through quality checks, alerts
and complaints system so as to ensure that funding and sponsorship
information provided by ECI organisers are correct.

In order to support the organisation of citizens'
initiatives, an annual appropriation shall be allocated from
the Union budget.

PURPOSE: to reform the European Citizens
Initiative in order to facilitate its organisation.

PROPOSED ACT: Regulation of the European Parliament
and of the Council.

ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN
PARLIAMENT: The European Parliament decides in accordance with the
ordinary legislative procedure and on an equal footing with the
Council.

BACKGROUND: the instrument of the European Citizens'
Initiative (ECI) was introduced by the Treaty of Lisbon and was
made operational on 1 April 2012 by Regulation
No 211/2011.

The aim of this instrument is to enhance citizens'
involvement in the democratic life of the European Union, by
allowing them to directly address the Commission with a request to
submit a proposal for legal acts of the Union for the purpose of
implementing the Treaties.

Since its first
report on the application of the Regulation adopted in 2015,
the Commission has implemented a series of non-legislative measures
to facilitate the use of the instrument by organisers and citizens
and to mitigate the main problems identified, namely:

the difficulties encountered by the organisers in the
registration phase including the high rate of refusals to
register proposed citizens initiatives;

the complexity for organisers of initiatives to
collect statements of support, as evidenced by the low rate of
successful initiatives;

differences in requirements for personal data
of signatories;

low number of initiativesreaching the one million threshold and the limited
impact so far generated by citizens' initiatives.

The resolution
of the European Parliament of 28 October 2015 highlighted a number
of problems and called for the revision of Regulation (EU) No
211/2011 and the adoption of a package of amendments to improve the
functioning of the ECI.

IMPACT ASSESSMENT: no impact assessment has been
carried out. The Commission notes, however, that technical and
practical measures to simplify the ECI should reduce the
administrative burden for both organisers and Member
States.

CONTENT: the proposal seeks to replace Regulation No
211/2011 with a view to improving the way the ECI operates, with
the main policy objectives of:

making the ECI more accessible, less burdensome and
easier to usefor organisers and
supporters;

achieving the full potential of the ECI as a tool to
foster debate and participation,
including that of young people, at European level and to bring the
EU closer to its citizens.

Concretely, the proposal:

stipulates the right of every citizen of the Union
of at least 16 years of age to support an initiative by signing
the statement of support;

introduces the requirement to make available an
online collaborative platform for the ECI providing a
discussion forum as well as information and advice to organisers,
support to organisers with regard to the translation of the main
elements of their initiatives into all official languages
​​of the Union for publication in the
Register;

provides for the requirements for the organisers of
initiatives, including the formation, composition and
responsibilities of the group of organisers composed by at least
seven citizens of the Union entitled to vote in the elections to
the European Parliament and residents of at least seven Member
States;

provides that statements of support may only be
collected after an initiative has been registered and establishes
the requirements for the registration or refusal of
initiatives;

clarifies that statements of support for initiatives
may be collected online or in paper form and that only forms which
comply with the models set out in Annex III of the Regulation may
be used to collect statements of support. Personal data to be
provided by the signatory would be reduced;

introduces the requirement for the Commission to
set-up and operate, by 1 January 2020, a central online
collection system made available free of charge to organisers
of registered initiatives and allowing citizens to provide support
to initiatives online;

stipulates the possibility for organisers to set up
their own individual online collection systems, the security
and technical features for these systems and the procedure for the
verification by the competent national authorities in the Member
States;

provides that each Member State shall verify and
certify the statements of support signed by their
nationals;

lays down the conditions and time limits for
the submission of initiatives to the Commission;

sets out the publication and public hearing
phase for initiatives submitted to the Commission and sets out
the conditions for the public hearing at the European Parliament
within three months from the submission of the initiative by the
organisers;

obliges the Commission to receive the group of
organisers at an appropriate level as well as to set out in a
Communication its legal and political conclusions on the
initiative, the actions it intends to take, if any, and its
reasons for taking or not taking action;

provides for awareness-raising and
communication activities on the ECI to be carried out by the
Commission.

BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS: the specific budgetary
implications of the proposal relate to a number of online systems
for the European citizens initiative which the Commission
will put in place and make available free of charge to citizens and
organisers.

The estimated impact on expenditure (in commitment
appropriations) is estimated at EUR 2.050 million for 2019 and
EUR 2.140 million for 2020. For administrative expenditure, the
impact is estimated to EUR 1.071 million per year.